Government unveils ecotown shortlist

Four proposed new towns of 15,000 homes or more are on a shortlist of 15 sites for Gordon Brown's cherished ecotown programme published by the government today.

The programme, which aims to have up to 10 settlements of between 5,000 and 20,000 homes well under development by 2020, is expected to provoke strong local opposition. Many of the most controversial bids among the 57 originally submitted as zero-carbon, water neutral and car-curbing towns have survived the first round of competition for the first new towns in England since the 1960s.

They include Pennbury, four miles south-east of Leicester, in which the Co-op is a leading partner, and Rossington, South Yorkshire, near Doncaster, where the regeneration of the former colliery village is a main aim. A proposed 5,000-home development near Weston-on-the Green, Oxfordshire, where Tim Henman's father has been a leading objector, is also on the shortlist.

But ministers have promised that no new homes will be built on protected green belt land, leading to the rejection of several schemes. They have also turned down proposals which they believe are simply recycled schemes already spurned by planners.

Despite government hopes that each new town would have 30% to 50% of their new homes classed "affordable" for social rent or schemes that helped low-income families people on the housing ladder, some of those backed at present do not reach that level. Instead, the government claimed yesterday that more than 30% of new homes altogether would fall into the affordable category.

The housing minister, Caroline Flint, said: "We have a shortfall of housing and with so many buyers struggling to find suitable homes, more affordable homes are a huge priority. To face up to the threat of climate change, we must also cut the carbon emissions from our housing."

Although Flint said she recognised that ecotowns was "an issue that can raise strong opinions", she added that building in existing towns and cities could not provide enough new homes. The government wants 3m in total by 2020.

The shortlist includes former Ministry of Defence land, disused airfields and former pits and industrial sites.

Flint said she was "setting a high bar" for the remaining sites before they won further government support and were subjected to the planning process. Leading experts in the environmental, energy, housing and transport fields would be among those offering advice on how these proposals could be worked up.

She said that "really innovative green ideas have been proposed - from free public transport for all residents to using the waste heat from nearby power stations to heat homes and businesses."

Reaction from protesters was swift. Campaigners against a 6,000-home proposal for the new town of Middle Quinton, at present better known as Long Marston, six miles south-west of Stratford upon Avon, complained that the former Royal Engineers depot had poor transport links, there was no need of regeneration or housing and it would spoil the area. Izzi Seccombe, a Warwickshire country councillor, said: "It would put unsustainable pressure on Stratford's transport, infrastructure and local services."

Peter Robbins, spokesman for St Modwen, which is behind the proposal, said: "We are currently analysing the detail of the shortlist announcement so we can fully understand the process involved to take it forward to the next stage."

Protesters in Leicestershire said support for Pennbury was a severe disappointment. Dr Kevin Feltham, a local councillor, said: "The effect on the surrounding area will be an extra 30,000 to 40,000 cars a day. The Co-op hasn't said a word about helping the roads outside the town and that's a real concern."

The Campaign to Protect Rural England was critical of many proposals that made the shortlist. Planning officer Kate Gordon said: "There are a number of locations that involve the loss of greenfield land, agricultural land and would damage attractive landscapes."

The partnership behind an ecotown proposal for Rossington, which includes UK Coal, promised to consult widely "to make this the dawn of a new area".

Building might start within two years but may not be completed until 2031. The plan is to include five neighbourhoods of between 2,000 and 3,500 homes. John Harris, chairman of the Rossington Ecotown Partnership Board, said: "It is important to understand that the ecotown proposals are currently at a very early concept stage."

Two proposals on the shortlist do not even have locations. The original proposals for Kingston-on-Soar, south of Nottingham, are not being taken further but the government wants to see if another site in the same area might be suitable. A number of proposals were made for the Leeds city region, covering 11 local authorities. These were mainly between Leeds and Selby. Now there is to be a further study before one or more possible sites are put forward.

Anthony Henman, Tim Henman's father, promised to continue the battle against the "horrendous" proposals for the new development of Weston Otmoor site. He is found of campaign group Weston Front , and fears the area where he and his wife Jane have lived for 40 years and Tim grew up, would be ruined. The group has already alerted a QC to present a case for judicial review of the proposal.

"This will destroy our village community as we know and enjoy it ... If we wanted to live in a town, we would, but we love village life."

He said Tim backed the campaign which could result in seven or eight villages within a three-mile radius having their "lives stolen".

He added: "He is as horrified as we are at the prospect of 20,000 people being dumped on our doorstep."

Nick Herbert and Nick Gibb, MPs with constituencies in West Sussex, are opposed to the Ford plan. Mr Herbert said there was not the infrastructure to cope with the development.

"District council has objected to the development but the government is seeking to impose housing over the heads of local communities ... It is not for Whitehall mandarins or Labour ministers to tell us where and what to build."

Grant Shapps, the shadow housing minister for the Conservatives, also complained at central government forcing through development. The Local Government Association chairman, Sir Simon Milton, also complained of Whitehall imposition.

"It's no use building carbon neutral , environmentally friendly houses if they are in the middle of nowhere with no facilities sol that people have to drive miles to buy a loaf of bread or take their kids to school."

The association feared changes in planning rules would mean such issues would no longer carry such weight in decision making. Milton said ecotowns "will become the ecoslums of the future if they are built without regard to where residents can get to jobs or training".

Stewart Baseley, chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said the ecotowns "may well provide an environment where new technology and designs can be tested on a large scale" but added that "even if all the shortlisted locations were developed, the homes built would comprise less than 5% of the 3m homes we need to build by 2020."

Paul de Zylva, of Friends of the Earth England, said: "With proper involvement of local communities and stringent standards, the government's new ecotowns could provide an inspiring blueprint for low-carbon living - but they will be a drop in the ocean of the government's wider housebuilding programme. All new homes must be built to the highest green standards.

"And the question remains over how ministers will reduce emissions from existing homes – which currently account for over a quarter of all the UK's carbon impact. The government must prioritise this area and make it cheaper and easier for people to green their homes, and invest in energy saving and clean renewable technologies such as solar panels."

Natural England said it welcomed the ecotown initiative that it believed would improve the lives of people and nature. Sir Martin Doughty, the chairman, said: "The ecotown initiative provides a once in a generation opportunity to redefine green living in this country. Crucially green infrastructure must be put at the heart of all new development. It's the vital environmental life support system that every new community needs and deserves.

"Developers would never contemplate leaving out grey infrastructure, such as sewers and mains water, from developments , so why should it be acceptable to leave out green infrastructure when it's proven to improve people's health and quality of life, reduce flooding, moderate temperature extremes, and provide places for wildlife to flourish?"

Fifty-seven initial proposals were received from local authorities anddevelopers across the country. The full shortlist of 15 is:

Pennbury, LeicestershireBetween 12-15,000 homes on a development incorporating brownfield, greenfield and surplus public sector land, four miles south-east of Leicester. This proposal could include 4,000 new affordable houses in an area of high affordability pressure.

Manby and Strubby, LincolnshireFive thousand homes put forward by East Lindsey district council on two sites, with large elements of brownfield land including a former RAF base. The proposal complements the strategic plan for the phased relocation of communities on Lincolnshire coast because of high flood risk, and could include 1,500 affordable homes in an area of very high affordability pressure.

Curborough, StaffordshireFive thousand homes on the brownfield site of the former Fradley airfield, 10 miles from Burton. The proposal could include 2,000 affordable houses in an area of very high affordability pressure.

Middle Quinton, WarwickshireSix thousand homes on a former Royal Engineers depot which has a rail link to the Worcester-London rail line. Six miles South West of Stratford upon Avon. The proposal could include 2,000 affordable houses in an area of very high affordability pressure.

Bordon-Whitehill, Hampshire Between 5,000-8,000 homes on a site owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). A significant number of ex-MoD homes are already on the site, west of Whitehill-Bordon. The proposal could include 2,000 affordable houses in an area of very high affordability pressure.

Weston Otmoor, Oxfordshire Between 10-15,000 homes on a site adjoining the M40 and the Oxford-Bicester railway. Three miles south west of Bicester, the site includes a current airstrip. The scheme could include between 3,000 and 5,000 affordable homes, in an area of extreme affordability pressure.

Ford, West SussexFive thousand homes on a site which includes brownfield land and the former Ford airfield. Close to rail line linking London and the Sussex coast. The scheme could include 1,500 affordable homes, in an area of very high affordability pressure.

Imerys China Clay community, CornwallDevelopment of around 5,000 homes on former china clay workings, industrial land and disused mining pits no longer needed by owner Imerys, close to St Austell. The scheme could include 1,500 affordable homes, in an area of extreme affordability pressure.

Rossington, South YorkshireUp to 15,000 homes regenerating the former colliery village of Rossington, three miles south of Doncaster. The scheme could include 1,500 affordable homes, in an area of moderate affordability pressure.

Coltishall, NorfolkFive thousand homes on a former RAF airfield, eight miles north of Norwich. The scheme could include 2,000 affordable homes in an area of very high affordability pressure.

Hanley Grange, CambridgeshireEight thousand homes on land adjacent to the A11 designed to improve the severe lack of housing in and around Cambridge. The scheme could include 3,000 affordable homes in an area of extreme affordability pressure.

Marston Vale and New Marston, BedfordshireUp to 15,400 homes on a series of sites, including former industrial sites, along the east-west rail line to Stewartby and Millbrook. The scheme could include 2,000 affordable homes in an area of high affordability pressure.

Elsenham, EssexA minimum of 5,000 homes north east of the existing Elsenham village. Close to M11 and the London to Cambridge rail line. The scheme could include 1,800 affordable homes in an area of extreme affordability pressure.

Rushcliffe, NottinghamshireAn ecotown proposal was submitted for Kingston-on-Soar, to the south of Nottingham. In response to representations from Rushcliffe borough council, this site is not to be pursued. However, the government is proposing to carry out a further review in partnership with the council to consider whether there is a suitable alternative location with the potential to be viable within the Rushcliffe local authority area.

Leeds city region, YorkshireA number of ecotown proposals were submitted for locations within the area of Leeds city region partnership of 11 authorities and principally between Leeds and Selby. The Leeds City Region Partnership has indicated support in principle for an ecotown within the region. The partnership has proposed a further study to compare the best alternative locations across the Leeds City Region partnership area and the government has agreed to support this approach on the basis that it will allow a further announcement to be made shortly of one or more sites for consultation.